MILFORD -- A perfect throw ended the bottom of the third, keeping the game scoreless. Foran jumped ahead in the top of the fourth, hitting the ball hard to set up a 5-2 win at Law in SCC Hammonasset softball on Monday.

It was a two-hour respite for the teams on the field and a couple of hundred fans who sat in the bleachers or on the hill at one point or another, at the end of a devastating weekend at the home school.

"Emotions get the best of you," Foran coach Jeff Bevino said. "What we told the girls was let's take two hours here and try to be a good distraction."

Maren Sanchez, 16, was stabbed to death allegedly by a Law classmate Friday morning in a school hallway. She was a manager for the softball team, friends with players from both of the city schools.

Though Law students didn't have classes Monday, the school was open for students seeking counseling, and this was the first varsity sporting event since.

"I give the girls a lot of credit," Law coach Melanie Paolini said. "They came here. They worked as hard as they could with their heads held high through the entire game. They showed so much strength, coming together like a little family."

A banner hung inside the fence in front of the Law dugout, reading "Our Angel in the Outfield" in purple with Sanchez's name. Both teams wore purple ribbons in her honor; umpires and Foran coaches and both teams' managers wore purple.

Before the game, both teams ringed the pitcher's circle; both coaches said a few words before a moment of silence.

Together, they all shouted "Milford," and then they got to work.

"We knew there were more important things to worry about (than the game)," Law junior right fielder Justine Bannon said.

"They didn't know if we should play or not. My whole team wanted to play today."

Foran added two in the top of the fifth -- Fallon Bevino's second of three doubles drove in both Portoff and Mendillo -- answered by two runs for Law (7-3, 3-1) in the bottom of the fifth on singles by Boath and Saley and a Stephanie Cameron two-run double.

With standout senior Jess Harkness out with a hip-flexor injury, Foran junior Mendillo pitched a five-hitter for her second win.

"Ashley was tremendous, spot-on," Bevino said. "We asked her to step up this week with Jess out, and she did."

Bevino said Harkness, who'd been pitching hurt ("Jess being Jess"), should miss at least the rest of the week.

Mendillo retired the last seven to face her. The teams lined up for handshakes; there were a lot more hugs than usual.